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Retiring North Dakota Highway Patrol Sargent pins badge on son for last official duty

Bismarck, ND (WDAY TV) - A batch of 15 recruits has been at the Law Enforcement Training Academy since January.
On Friday, they graduate, and earn their badge, with the help of someone special.2 / 2

Bismarck, ND (WDAY TV) - A batch of 15 recruits has been at the Law Enforcement Training Academy since January.

On Friday, they graduate, and earn their badge, with the help of someone special.

After 36 years with the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Sgt. Mitch Rumple is retiring.

His last official act is to pin a badge on his son Eric's uniform.

"It really was a very, very emotional time for me, and I'm just so happy and so proud of him," says Sgt. Mitch Rumple, North Dakota Highway Patrol.

"From the time I did my first ride along with him at 16, I fell in love with it right away," says Trooper Eric Rumple, Graduate.

Trooper Eric Rumple is assigned to Watford City.

14 of the 15 new troopers from his class will patrol in oil-producing counties out west.

Cody Nuenthel is assigned to Dickinson.

His leap into law enforcement is from following his mom's footsteps.

"As I was growing up, my mom as a deputy in Richland County she was my hero, it kind of went without question on who I would be selecting to pin my badge on, it's kind of a transfer with her," says Trooper Cody Nuenthel, Graduate.

"He chose highway patrol and I'm grateful, great training staff, I attended the Academy, I loved those guys, whether I'm highway patrol or just a county employee. I'm most certainly very proud of him," says Darlene Lee, Cody's mom.

No matter who serves as their inspiration, they've earned their badge, and are starting off on what loved ones can only hope will be a long career.

"Pinning his badge on him, what an honor, I'm so happy that he let me do it, and I'm just so proud to do it," says Mitch.

"It's almost hard for me to watch him go," says Eric Rumple.

Trooper Eric Rumple will be moving to the Watford City area this weekend.